Hudson leads Bulldogs past Bombers

FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville fans are going to enjoy watching sophomore DJ Hudson play this season.

Hudson scored 16 points and took over in the final minutes to lead Fayetteville to a 55-47 victory over Mountain Home on Tuesday at Bulldog Arena. The win in the home-opener improved Fayetteville to 4-0 on the season.

Fayetteville played without top scorer Ornette Gaines, who is recovering from an injury. But Hudson, a 6-6 forward, made up for his absence, especially late when the game was still in doubt against Mountain Home.

Fayetteville only led 48-45 when Hudson swept into the lane for a basket. After Jaxson Jorgenson forced a turnover, Hudson took an inbound pass from Eli Schwartzman and dunked the ball to put Fayetteville ahead 52-45.

Hudson ended his spree with two free throws to increase the Bulldogs’ lead to 54-45 over the Bombers (3-1).

“He’s got a high ceiling,” Fayetteville Coach Brad Stamps said of Hudson, who also had three blocks. “We’re going to coach him hard, and we’re excited about his development.”

Braiden Dewey led Mountain Home with 18 points. He was followed by Ryder McClain with 10. Jadyn Haney added 11 points for Fayetteville. while Jorgenson and Schwartzman contributed eight apiece.

Few teams this early in the season have set on a rotation and everyone on the Fayetteville bench got to play on Tuesday. Five players replaced five other Bulldogs at a couple junctures, which was the plan for Stamps entering the game.

“We’ve played three games in four days,” Stamps said. “We’re a little weary and we’re short-handed. Every single person on the bench was able to play and contribute.”

Fayetteville eased ahead 39-35 to begin the fourth quarter on baskets by Hudson and Haney, who made a fall-away jumper to end the third quarter. Haney then converted a three-point play to give Fayetteville a 42-37 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Dewey had 11 points to lead Mountain Home to a 25-19 lead at halftime. The game was tied 19-19 when the Bombers made consecutive three-pointers to end the second quarter. Rhett Gilbert broke the tie before Blaine Tate drove inside then threw the ball back out to Levi Uchtman, who swished a three-pointer from the corner.

Fayetteville regained momentum in the third quarter and forced a Mountain Home timeout after Schwartzman lobbed a pass to Hudsons for a dunk. Fayetteville prompted another timeout by Mountain Home when Kinyun Johnson scored two quick baskets to give the Bulldogs a 35-31 lead in the third quarter.